Chateau la Gaffeliere 2018

DECANTER: "The combination of Cabernet Franc and limestone give this wine both a beautifully floral-laced nose, and a sense of energy and lift as it travels through the palate. Extremely light-footed for a wine at 14.5 ABV%, barely discernible and the black fruits are followed by juice at every step of the way. Good stuff."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Based on 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château La Gaffelière is another pretty, elegant Saint-Emilion with a classic, mineral-laced style as well as a terrific mix of finesse and richness. Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, white flowers, and chalky minerality give way to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2018 that offers plenty of concentration, a lively, focused texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to evolve for two decades or more."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Reife Pflaumenfrucht, schwarze Kirschen, frische Orangenzesten, ein Hauch von Edelholz, floraler Touch. Saftig, reife Kirschen, wirkt eine Spur weitmaschiger als üblich, frisch strukturiert, rotbeerig im Nachhall, bietet leichtfüßiges Trinkvergnügen."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of black cherries, flowers and cedar with sandalwood and stone. It’s full-bodied and very intense with wonderfully polished tannins that caress your palate and take you away. Give this time to come together. Try after 2025."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Lush, polished and pure, the wine has a roundness to the fruit, flesh, silky tannins and a floral, licorice, espresso, cocoa and red pit fruit, plummy finish."

WEINWISSER: "Purpur mit rubinrotem Rand. Opulentes Bouquet, kompottartig, reife Zwetschge und Kirschlikör, dahinter Schokocreme und schwarze Johannisbeerdrops. Am druckvollen Gaumen mit weicher Textur, fein mürbe Extraktfülle, zarte Schalentöne im Untergrund und engmaschiges Tanninkorsett. Im gebündelten Finale blaubeerige Konturen, Kirschhaut und Rosenholz. Kann sich gegenüber dem Fassmuster leicht verbessern."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense black fruits, this latest release continues the succession of fine vintages. Perfumed, ripe with berry flavors and, more importantly, with rich tannins, the wine will age impressively. Drink from 2027. "

WINESPECTATOR: "Expressive and pure, with a long and refined set of cassis, bitter cherry and damson plum flavors entwined with bright savory and taut chalky mineral notes. The fruit darkens a bit through the finish and this adds some flesh and drive as it airs in the glass. Very solid. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 6,250 cases made. — JM"